The alleged Colorado movie theater gunman made a court appearance today, giving the world the first look at the 24-year-old’s flaming red and orange hair. During the hearing, several relatives and friends of the victims sat in the front rows of the courtroom, among them were Tom Teves, whose son Alex, died in Friday’s shooting rampage. “I wanted to see what he looks like,” Mr. Teves told Anderson tonight on 360. “He doesn’t look like much,” he added.

Mr. Teves went on to say, “It’s not about him. I just wanted to see him and I wanted to see there’s people who care and aren’t afraid of him.”

Mr. Teves is urging everyone to focus only on the victims, not the alleged gunman.

“Alex was all about life,” said his father. “He just wanted to help people.”

The 24-year-old earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology at the University of Denver in June.

That’s where he met his girlfriend, Amanda Lindgren. Alex shielded her from the bullets in theater 9.

She told Anderson that Alex saved her life. “With every ounce of my being he did, I wouldn’t be here without him.”

Ryan Cooper was Alex’s friend for 10 years. “He was my best friend, but saying friend almost doesn’t even do it justice. He really was like the other part of me.”

Amanda, Mr. Teves and Ryan all talked with Anderson about their loss and how they want everyone to remember a life cut too short.

“It’s not even about what drew me to him, it’s about what drew everybody to him,” Ryan said.

soundoff(10 Responses)

Megan Lofgren

God Bless Alex for sparing his precious soul to selflessly save anothers. I know that Heavenly Father is well pleased with him. My heart and prayers go to the broken-hearted family. Mr. Teves is a grieving father, who lost his son and it's so difficult to see. It's every parents nightmare to loose their child. I am so sorry for his families and friends loss.

July 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm |

Mark Denmarsh

I worked for Mr Teves. He is a genuine incredibly pasionate man. My heart goes out to him and his family for this truly senceless loss.

July 27, 2012 at 5:29 pm |

Sheena Veasey

It was so heroic that he wanted to save his girlfriend instead of himself. Thanks to him there is a survivour to this horrible act.

July 25, 2012 at 5:32 pm |

Susan

My heart goes out to the victims and their families. CNN, please take Mr. Teve's challenge. Perhaps it should even be the Teve's law; no more media images of perpetrators of horrendous crimes. Stop this incessant desire for fame at any cost.

July 25, 2012 at 9:50 am |

Paul Callary

Sending love to the Teves family and those who loved Alex. Yes, let us remember and celebrate Alex's life and refer to his murderer as "the coward" and never by name.

July 25, 2012 at 1:54 am |

Missy R.

I have not and will not read any article about the perpetrator. I will read about the victims, their stories, and what they choose to share about the attack. The only reason I know the accused shooter's name is due to it being in headlines. He can have all the attention he wants from law enforcement and shrinks. I will give him none.

July 25, 2012 at 12:32 am |

Kim Umbro

My heart goes out to this family and all the families who are suffering from this tragic nightmare. I absolutely agree with this man.....we should no longer refer to him as anything but the coward he really is....

July 24, 2012 at 1:31 pm |

Sarah

Prayers go out to the friends, families & victims of this horrible incident. I hope that networks take this father up on his challenge. He is 100% correct. The victims are who we should be keeping in our thoughts, not that "coward".

July 24, 2012 at 6:13 am |

Troy

I completely agree with Mr.Teves. It is time for the media to back off and stop putting the killers face all over the screen.
They also need to begin letting the victims and there families have there space to heal physically and mentally the best they can. We remember those who lost there lives, those who sacrificed to save others. To there families and loved ones and to those still recovering may God bless and you all find comfort in His love. Thank you.

July 23, 2012 at 11:08 pm |

barbara kerner

since he was studding Neuroscience, did anybody wonder what was done to James Holmes as a volunteere at this Neuroscience class? I now that students sometimes volunteer to do the experiments or immunization on them. And they have to sign the papers, can anybody look in to that. Nobody is thinking about that? I am looking at him and that came to me.
HE LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HIM, HE LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY SWITCHED HIS WHOLE BEING